BAKERSFIELD, CA-- With crowds of more than 3,000 attending services at Canyon Hills Assembly of God Easter is a busy day for pastor Robin Robinson.
"Bigger than Christmas Eve because I think it is a time when families actually come out more,” Robinson said. “When you have egg hunts and you have something that ministers and touches the lives of the whole family. Easter is one of the biggest days of the year for us."
The church also offers a special center specifically designed to help children with special needs called the Champions Club.
Sonya Martinez's son Samuel has autism and she said he looks forward to spending time at the club.
"It's not just painted pretty but it's actually a full-on program to meet his needs and they teach him about the Lord at the same time,” Martinez said. “He does get fed the scriptures and hears about Jesus the way he can."
Brunch after services is a tradition in many families and it was no different for longtime Bakersfield resident Leroy Bush who took his family to Buck Owens' Crystal Palace.
"We have been here at different times and Easter is just one of the good (times) to come here," Bush said.
For those who could not afford to eat out, there was the Mission at Kern County.
"While many of us are enjoying Easter with our families. We are their family. So for many this is home,” said Jamie Durham with the Mission.
Mission volunteers cooked 20 hams to serve an Easter meal to roughly 300 people in need. People like Victor Morales.
"The service that they provide for us, the food that they give us, it is an outreach to people like me,” Morales said. “I am very thankful for what they have done in my life and the people around here."
The Mission feeds the less fortunate not just on Easter, but breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the year.
"Bigger than Christmas Eve because I think it is a time when families actually come out more,” Robinson said. “When you have egg hunts and you have something that ministers and touches the lives of the whole family. Easter is one of the biggest days of the year for us."
The church also offers a special center specifically designed to help children with special needs called the Champions Club.
Sonya Martinez's son Samuel has autism and she said he looks forward to spending time at the club.
"It's not just painted pretty but it's actually a full-on program to meet his needs and they teach him about the Lord at the same time,” Martinez said. “He does get fed the scriptures and hears about Jesus the way he can."
Brunch after services is a tradition in many families and it was no different for longtime Bakersfield resident Leroy Bush who took his family to Buck Owens' Crystal Palace.
"We have been here at different times and Easter is just one of the good (times) to come here," Bush said.
For those who could not afford to eat out, there was the Mission at Kern County.
"While many of us are enjoying Easter with our families. We are their family. So for many this is home,” said Jamie Durham with the Mission.
Mission volunteers cooked 20 hams to serve an Easter meal to roughly 300 people in need. People like Victor Morales.
"The service that they provide for us, the food that they give us, it is an outreach to people like me,” Morales said. “I am very thankful for what they have done in my life and the people around here."
The Mission feeds the less fortunate not just on Easter, but breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the year.